Astrid et Raphaëlle (2019– ) User Reviews

Highly recommend it!

[naushika · 8/10 · 13 February 2022]

My dad found this series recently and we are both mesmerised. It shows people with autism beautifully. Not just one side, thinking there's only one version of autism (like a lot of Hollywood productions did and do unfortunately). It depicts different facets, different problems for neurodivergent and for neurotypical people. And how we can live with each other, find compassion and understanding through simple acts of kindness and empathy.

I highly recommend this to everyone!

Lovely

[koakes-44964 · 9/10 · 24 February 2022]

The stories are pretty good. The sensibility and the human element are exceptional. One of the genuinely sweetest things I've ever watched, without ever veering into forced or excessive sentimentality. I can't wait for Season 2.

Well Done - Love This Series!

[kuester · 9/10 · 4 September 2023]

Italia47 and Dklecan sum it up rather well. I am in the U. S. and really, no matter English or otherwise, I rely heavily on subtitles, so although it's a bit more of a challenge not speaking/understanding French, I am used to reading subtitles to assist. This series is SO well done, the acting is top notch - ALL supporting actors as well as the two women). I appreciate the exchange of dialogue between Astrid and - anyone really - in addition to the Aspie group meetings which provide so much insight into the point of view that Astrid and other aspies perceive with neurotypicals. The meetings are well incorporated, scripted and directed in such a way that it's not "preachy" or overtly "explaining" but fluidly flows within the context of each episode. The two leads, with whom I am not familiar (due to it airing as a foreign series in the U. S. on PBS) are so well acted and work well and so thoughtfully together. Each episode is unique and engaging and well written. I am really appreciative of PBS to have exposure to a broad and diverse repertoire of European series, but this one in particular is, I hope, continuing for many more seasons to come as I see continued character development and intriguing cases to be solved. I highly recommend.

Incredible Show, Please Release more episodes

[drdanifrederickduus · 10/10 · 9 September 2021]

I've watched other foreign language series; however, this show captures all realms of one's attention & interest. Even my husband, who at first refused to watch a foreign language show, was sucked-in, as the captions are easily read without loosing the visual action.

The description of the show says there are 17 episodes; however, w Walter's Picks from Masterpiece, I have only seen 8. If someone knows how or where to see the other episodes, I would most definitely appreciate it.

It is my favorite show & I continue to watch it week after week. This series is that good.

just beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 8 January 2022]

Fair and very simple is to say I love this series. Because it is admirable crafted, smart acted, sensitive, sensible and wise manner to define each character. Off course, Sara Mortensen is magnifique and her duel with Lola Dewaere is beautiful conducted. A series about people and effort to understand them, maybe more than one about crimes.

This show will move you.

[jk-692-236394 · 10/10 · 25 October 2023]

This show is very well written. The mysteries are excellent and are not run of the mill. They take a different path to find the solutions. The journey is very enjoyable. This is a genre I watch a lot of, and this show is clever.

What elevates this show to being above others, is the amazing portrayal of a brilliant autistic criminologist name Astrid and the partnership and friendship she develops with the other lead Detective Raphaëlle Coste.

What is so special to me, is the way they drop these beautiful nuggets of truth and soulful observations.

I have found myself tearing up at the smallest of these interactions because they have a sweetness that you do not see on television shows much.

The two lead actresses are superb. The entire cast is very good. I truly hope this show goes on to have many more seasons. I have watched season one and two, and this is one of my favorite shows.

among the best tv shows ever made

[MetroVavin · 10/10 · 9 November 2023]

The most amazing thing about this show is the portrayal of autism, in the character Astrid.

It's an astoundingly convincing performance, and an astoundingly convincing script.

Everyone must fall in love with Astrid, with her simplicity, her vulnerability, and her persistence in the face of tremendous challenges. She captures the innocence and joy of a child as an adult.

Around this character is an ongoing love between Astrid and Raphaelle, who work together as detectives on homicides. Astrid is Sherlock Holmes to Raphaelle's smarter, more competent version of Watson. The affection between these two women deserves a canonical place in cinema, where a focus on supportive, loving friendships between women as the central spring of a plot is not common.

There is also a moving love story as Astrid negotiates her first love affair. The love story though serves to throw Astrid's relationship with Raphaelle into relief, rather than supplanting it.

Each episode is a complete murder mystery. The mysteries are taken seriously, but they have a comic book element, with plot elements that are magical and unusual out of a fantasy adventure for children, yet always end up with a rational realist explanation. The adventures have something of the wonderful French "bande dessinee" adult comic book novels. This adds a lot of fun.

As mystery stories, fitting the complex plots and lines of investigation into 53 minutes is a shoehorn job. A lot of the story is told in summary by characters. Often repeat characters turn out to have special knowledge or abilities exactly as needed for the plot, in coincidences that beg credulity. But this convention us allows to stay in touch with some endearing repeat characters and also moves the plot along quickly to a swift conclusion. It fits the comic book flavor. The investigations themselves are fun as adventures, and have plenty of red herrings and plot twists, but are not the most convincing crime plots.

It's also often laugh out loud funny. The show finds humor in Astrid's adaptation to life always laughing with her. Astrid herself tackles difficulties like understanding figures of speech and making jokes.

All the actors manage to give performances that are at the same time exaggerated and bigger than life, and completely credible. Lola Dewaere and Sara Mortensen do outstanding jobs. Sara Mortensen has a very challenging role and gives a gold medal olympic performance, avoiding any mechanicality in the role.

The episodes often deal with social issues in a progressive way, which gives them three dimensionality and relevance apart from the discussion of autism.

Altogether, this is one of the most moving and fun tv series from any country.

Superb

[Subtlesecret · 10/10 · 13 December 2022]

So far, I have only been able to watch the first series of this amazing series. It centres on the abilities of Astrid, an autistic woman who needs a guardian, and who works in the Criminal Records department of the Paris police. Her autism gives her an encyclopaedic memory of the case files she has read and a fascination with puzzles, both of which she puts to good use in helping seemingly intractable murders.

What I liked most about this series was the ability of Sarah Mortenson to portray the physical attributes of a person with fairly pronounced autism. This, plus the manner in which others learn how to interact with her, and who themselves grow from her presence, made the whole series a delight for me.

Love it

[lilag-80710 · 10/10 · 1 September 2021]

I love it. Intelligent show about friendship, about puzzles, with smart ideas, with beautiful actresses.

And have I said I love it?

Excellent!

[dewan-4 · 10/10 · 29 November 2021]

Good plots, good characters, no agenda.

Many critics fail to understand that the french police is different from the american police.

Hope they go for a third season.

A wonderful show that brings understanding to ASD

[victoriarl-49925 · 10/10 · 12 May 2022]

I read some of the earlier reviews which gave this show terrible ratings. I wholeheartedly disagree. This was the first time I have watched a show in another language and I was very hesitant. However, after 10 minutes I was able to follow along easily. Unless you know or have worked with people who have ASD, don't criticize the characterization of Astrid. Autism is on a spectrum, and she demonstrates many of the traits well. This show moves both main characters through season one with a beautiful development of each character. This is a fictional show of course, but the writing is brilliant. Shows hire expert consultants so that there is realism to what you see in Astrid. It's heartwarming and humorous. It's deeply touching. We love this show.

Doesn't quite work

[markfranh · 5/10 · 29 March 2021]

I used to work with Asperger's kids when I was a teacher's aide many years ago so I'm always interested to see how Asperger's is portrayed on television.

It's inevitable that with Astrid et Raphaelle that one is going to compare Sara Mortensen's portrayal of Astrid with Sofia Helen's portrayal of the Swedish Detective, Saga, in the Swedish-Danish series The Bridge. The difference is quite remarkable.

While Sofia Helen's portrayal was excellent and worthy of the many accolades she received for The Bridge, I'm afraid that Sara's version in this series doesn't quite work. It took me a while to figure out what was wrong but in the end I decided that while Helen managed to convince me that her character was indeed living with Asperger's, Mortensen's character came across as somebody who was just pretending to have Asperger's. The difference is significant: i.e. I felt that Astrid was somebody pretending to be living with Asperger's rather than someone who actually had the condition. It all seemed quite fake.

It just failed miserably for me and my wife wasn't convinced by the role either.

We gave up after two episodes.

What a great find

[kmpayne-00924 · 10/10 · 21 November 2022]

I enjoyed series 1 a huge amount ( series 2 & 3 yet to see ) . The relationship between Astrid & Raphaelle built wonderfully episode by episode as they were solving crimes / murders together and the actors who played them are first class . I found this series not only enjoyable and engaging but also educational as it was fascinating and at times upsetting to see Astrids world and the everyday simple obstacles she has to overcome to fit in or not as the case might be . The support cast is strong and I especially liked the scenes with Astrids Autistic support group and again how they see the world and it's challenges . I highly recommend this series as every episode flies by.

What a find!

[lm1574 · 10/10 · 7 December 2023]

I just discovered this on PBS Passport in the US. I was hooked instantly. Imaginative plots, great characters, wonderful scenery. Sara Mortensen as Astrid in particular is beyond amazing. No words can adequately describe how well she handles the difficult role of the autistic researcher. She has perfected the body language, darting eyes, difficulty making eye contact, body tics and stiff movements, her obsession with puzzles. With anyone else, it could easily have become an uncomfortable and even insulting caricature. But she handles it superbly. I actually googled her to see if she really is autistic she is do believable. My only tiny nit pick - and it's not enough to lower the 10 stars - is that it's in French with English subtitles. So it's important to watch it carefully and don't try to do anything else at the same time. Leave your knitting in the bag!

Best French series since Spiral

[dageezaiphone · 10/10 · 20 November 2022]

Now 5 episodes into the first series, I am utterly hooked, and cannot wait for 9 o'clock Fridays on More4 ! This series has everything from pathos to outright laugh out loud moments, and everything in between. We are introduced to Astrid when her literal autism makes an absolute fool of a teenager in a gang who was seeking to do the same to her, but then is laughed at by his own gang members as Astrid walks off leaving him completely flummoxed. Sara Mortensen must have studied the differences between autistic and "neurotypicals" very carefully, and her attention to the smallest details is an absolute joy to behold as her almost photographic recall of all the details in the Criminal records files leads her to team up with her polar opposite, Raphaelle (played by the wonderfully ebullient and accident prone. Lola Deweare). The way in which these two learn from each other, and use this friendship to solve cases which Raphaelle has been instructed by her nervous and fractuous boss (played by Jean-Louis Garcon) to "put to bed quickly as a suicide". Astrid has other ideas and quickly puts the lackadaisical Police Pathologist Fournier in his place, but not in a deliberate way. Fournier soon smartens his act up, but Astrid is always one step ahead. Raphaelle takes it upon herself to learn more about Astrid's seemingly lonely existence, and starts to attend the weekly meeting of like-minded individuals. This also opens a new world to the viewers, and it is really fascinating how we are introduced to their views and opinions of us neurotypicals. There are insufficient words to describe the brilliance of this series, and I am hoping that More 4 Walter Presents are going to broadcast all 3 series. I would have given 11/10 if it were possible, this is quite simply televisual genius.

Follows the Sherlock tradition.

[ikd-27153 · 10/10 · 11 January 2022]

I would like to think that Arthur Conan Doyle would have enjoyed this series. Great acting, good mysteries and a pleasant sense of humor. Can't get enough of Astrid.

Loved it

[dklecan · 9/10 · 9 November 2021]

Loved this show. I like the fact that it shows the main protagonist with Asperger's and throughout the season she learns how to navigate in the "normal" world but still maintains her basic personality.

I also love the fact that they feature a group meeting for autism/Asperger in every episode, which helps explain some of the issues that happen to Astrid iin the episode.

I myself became disabled due to a car accident and find many of the components of the show relatable. Issues like being prepared for any eventuality, not enjoying crowds, and having to explain my disability issues to friends and strangers.

Many murder mysteries (ex. Sherlock Holmes) have quirky detectives. This one takes the time to educate the viewer to understand the passion and quirkiness of the protagonist.

A Real Treasure!

[blmdsouza · 10/10 · 23 May 2023]

This TV series has been very refreshing, and entertaining in every episode so far in the 2 seasons I have watched. Each episode was very well acted, and presented. The development of the characters was really engaging, and the chemistry between the 2 female leads really makes the programme because the audience is vested in their developing relationship, and those of the people around them. The only "weak" spot is the o continual incompetence of certain police characters, almost stereotypical. But this is easily forgiven since the quality of the acting, the plots, and the manner of resolution is so entertaining. Cannot wait for more episodes - this is quality television, and is certainly one of the best police dramas I have watched in quite a long time, that doesn't depend on extreme violence, superfluous sex, and gratuitous swearing. A real joy to watch!

Excellent and unconventional

[rhorton0721 · 8/10 · 11 November 2021]

Good characters that are well developed through each episode. The crimes in each episode were thoughtful and required some good thought to solve. A show well worth watching for those who need the subtitles.

The simply didn't work for me

[laduqesa · 4/10 · 15 May 2021]

This came very highly recommended by friends whose judgement I generally trust. They have even got the second season. Unfortunately I don't hold the same high opinion that they do. If it weren't for a feeling of letting them down, I would have given up after the ninety minute pilot and then the first of the fifty five minute episodes.

I found the characters' personalities irritating rather than engaging or sympathetic. I found the portrayal of Asperger's unconvincing and rather a deus ex machine than a driver of the plot. I also failed to see how an archivist in a totally different discipline would be allowed to go out on investigations and even ask questions as well as being sceptical about the competence of the pathologist in every episode. If her particular skills were needed, then they could be used in the station using photos and records. Moreover, that this completely sidelined Raphaelle's partner, who was fobbed off with donkey work, was hard to swallow.

I have to say that the character of Astrid developed somewhat during the series and I found the later episodes better than the first ones but I shan't be getting the second season. It gets four stars because of that and because I watched it till the end but that was almost out of a sense of obligation to my friends.

Excellent and refreshing

[watersdale · 16 December 2021]

This has been enlightening and very refreshing. It has opened my eyes to the adult life of a person who is living with autism. I wish there were more episodes to enjoy.

Superb characters played by superb actors/actresses

[kmhowie · 9/10 · 30 October 2021]

I loved this show and look forward to a second season. The evolving relationships between the main characters is a joy to watch. The depiction of Astrid's personal life was also enlightening, although I'm not qualified to judge its accuracy.

It's Delicious!

[dwknuj · 10/10 · 22 July 2023]

This show is so exquisitely balanced and presented that I run out of conventional superlatives to assess it. The truest word that I can assign to it is " delicious." It dances across every mental tastebud I possess.

The lug nut that holds all of this together is the character Astrid. In fact, here in the States we simply know the series as "Astrid." She is the classic "one who doesn't fit in." We saw that with Spock on Star Trek and, later, Data on Star Trek TNG. She's the country cop in the big city, the humble man wandering in a roomful of society swells, the innocent Jefferson Smith amongst jaded and corrupt politicians in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. This is everybody's favorite character. Astrid shines with it.

The interplay between the two leads, the fascinating scripts - this show has it all. By all means, please, watch it.

Amazing show

[hjcksm · 10/10 · 23 December 2023]

I just started watching Astrid because I accidentally saw it on a prime video and the picture caught my attention. I'm so glad that I watched it. It's probably one of the best shows I've ever watched. The story of Astrid in her youth is told during the first couple of Episodes. You get to know her well, watching her step out of her comfort zone has been amazing. I hope that it keeps going on and on. I love the relationship between her and the commander they help each other grow. It's not hard reading the English at the bottom. Sometimes things are happening so fast I forget to read the bottom and have to back it up to see what was being said. The emotional input of these two characters is way beyond some of the trite that TV has to offer. I'm glad that our PBS station is carrying this series. I can't say enough to have you go and check it out. Sometimes it's hard to watch when Astrid is having an episode, but it makes me want to put my arms around her and hold her. Although I know we can't touch someone with her medical issue unless she allows it. Please watch it it's amazing.

Brilliant writing and acting

[kimmelpaula-61584 · 10/10 · 7 January 2023]

My new favorite show. It's made me laugh and brought me to tears. A favorite part is where neuro-divergents have their support group meeting and discuss the issues with neuro-typicals. Brilliant writing, witty, tender and real. The acting is so great, too, especially the two female leads. I love how these two encounter each other and both help each other grow to understand each other. At the same time, each is changing for the better, with Astrid becoming more adventurous, and Raphael becoming less brusque and more of a true team player. Set in Paris, you get to see beautiful architecture and museums in the background, a bonus!